Lockable container for preventing access to contents by a child

ABSTRACT

Children are notorious for getting into things in their parent&#39;s bags and purses. Children can find dangerous substances at ground level and ingest them or create messes. Lockable containers disclosed herein can include a small bag or other container with a multi-step locking zipper. The locking mechanism of the lockable container secures items within the interior of the container and away from children. The lockable container uses a snap latch locking system. Such locking feature is effortless for adults but difficult or impossible for children to open.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/086,186 filed Oct. 1, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children are notorious for getting into parent's bags and purses. One problem is that children can find and ingest dangerous substances such as medication or create messes. There are also many bags and containers used to conceal cannabis from children “stash bags”. These convention stash bags not sufficiently secure and do not provide the simple security that parents generally need. Moreover, conventional child-proof bags are large, clunky, obvious (for cannabis users). Such bags and containers also do not solve the problem of convenience and user-experience. With cannabis now legal in some form across more than 30 of the United States, not to mention abroad, the cannabis industry is on the rise and expected to achieve a market size of more than $60 billion by the end of 2025. Therefore, there remains a need for a more secure lockable container to restrict if not prevent access to the contents therein by children.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present invention is related to a lockable container for preventing access by children to contents held therein. The lockable container includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an interior compartment. The interior compartment has an opening disposed along un upper side thereof and between a pair of opposing side wall edges.

The lockable container includes a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism includes a zipper with opposing interlocking zipper elements disposed along each of the opposing upper side wall edges at the container opening. The closure mechanism further includes a zipper slider configured to be operated by hand. The zipper slider comprising a Y-shaped channel that is configured to interlock the zipper elements when slid in a first direction and is configured to separate the opposing zipper elements when slide in a second direction opposite to the first direction, depending on the direction of the slider's movement.

The lockable container further includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the closure mechanism in a closed position thereby restricting access to the interior of the container.

The slider can include a body, a bridge, and a puller. The body includes a front end and a rear end. The locking mechanism includes a slider interlocking element being disposed proximate to the front of the body of the slider.

The locking mechanism can further include a retractable locking element disposed at an end of the opposing sidewall edges. The locking mechanism can further include a housing, the retractable locking element being slidable within the housing. The housing can include an upper opening. The upper opening can encase the slider body when the slider body is slid within the housing in a locked position.

The retractable locking element can include a first retaining element. The locking mechanism can further include a first opening on a first side of the housing through which the first retaining element of the retractable locking element extends from and retracts into.

The retractable locking element can include a second retaining element, the locking mechanism can further include a second opening on a second side of the housing through which the second retaining element of the retractable locking element extends from and retracts into. The first opening can be on an opposite side of the housing than the second opening. The first retaining element and second retaining element can be opposing buttons on the retractable locking element that, when pressed, release the retractable locking element from a retained position within the housing. The first and second opposing buttons can be pinched and slid downward to release the locking mechanism. When pressed in a lower released position, the retractable locking element can spring upwards under bias by a vertical spring to engage a catch of the slider in a locked position. The locking mechanism further comprising the vertically disposed spring for biasing the retractable locking element toward an upper opening of the housing.

The retractable retaining element can include two opposing clasps. The two opposing clasps can have a tapered top portion for allowing the catch of the slider to be pressed over a top of the clasps against the bias force of the spring and snap into a locked position.

the slider interlocking element configured to mechanically interlock with the clasps of the retaining element when the slider interlocking element is inserted into the housing. The clasps of the retaining element can be disposed at distal ends of opposing selectively bendable supports. The selectively bendable supports being connected at proximate ends thereof, the vertical spring configured to provide a vertical bias force against the proximate end of the retractable locking element toward the opening of the housing. The selectively bendable supports can be biased apart by one or more horizontal springs extending the selectively bendable supports and biasing the bendable supports into a locked position. The bendable supports can be manually bendable against the bias force of the one or more horizontal springs to reduce the distance between the two opposing clasps of the retaining element releasing the catch of the slider to allow the slider to disengage the zipper elements and allow access to the interior of the lockable container.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a lockable container in a locked position;

FIG. 2 illustrates the lockable container in a locked position on the left and in an unlocked position on the right;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the components of a locking mechanism on the left as well as in an assembled view on the right;

FIG. 4 is a loser view of several of the components of the locking mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the components of the locking mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an assembly illustration of a locking mechanism; and

FIG. 7 is a front, side, top, and bottom view of the lockable container showing some examples of useful dimensions and examples of suitable materials for the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a lockable container disclosed hereinafter can include a small bag with a multi-step locking zipper. As stated above, children are notorious for getting into things in their parent's bags and purses. They can find dangerous substances at ground level and ingest them or create messes. The invention disclosed and claimed herein can provide a solution to these and/or many other problems as will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. The invention differs from what currently exists. The locking mechanism of the lockable container secures items within the interior of the container and away from children. It's discreet and well-built. The lockable container is quite simple and uses a proprietary snap latch locking system. Such locking feature is effortless for adults but impossible for children to open.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lockable container 100 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the invention. The lockable container 100 includes a plurality of sidewalls 105 defining an interior compartment. The sidewalls 105 having opposing sidewall edges 110A and 110B defining an opening therebetween where interlocking and corresponding zipper elements 115 are disposed along un upper side thereof. The lockable container 100 includes a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism including the interlocking zipper elements 115 disposed along each of the opposing upper side wall edges 110 and a slider 120. The lockable container 100 further comprising a locking mechanism 130 configured to selectively lock the closure mechanism including the corresponding interlocked zipper elements 115 and the slider 120 in a closed position thereby restricting access to the interior of the container 100.

A parent, or other adult user, opens the lockable container 100 by squeezing side buttons 131A of the locking mechanism 130 thereby releasing the slider 125 of the closure mechanism from the locking mechanism 130 and allowing access into the interior of the lockable container 100. Items can then be placed in the lockable container 100 such as lipstick, cannabis, keys, and medication. Once the stored items are in the lockable container 100 the slider 125 of the closure mechanism is pulled back towards the locking mechanism 130 interconnecting the zipper element 115 with the locking mechanism. Upon inserting a catch 126 connected to the slider 125 into the locking mechanism 130 upper opening of the locking mechanism between sidewalls 110A and 110B is blocked. According to some embodiments, a satisfying “snap” sound occurs, letting the parent or other user know the container 100 is locked-up.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, examples of the components of a lockable container 100 are shown along with components of its closure mechanism and locking mechanism 130. The closure mechanism can include the plurality of zipper elements 115 disposed along the pair of opposing side wall edges 110. The closure mechanism can include a slider 125, the slider 125 selectively interlocking and releasing the zipper elements 115 disposed along the pair of opposing side wall edges 110A and 110B in a conventional manner. The slider 125 can include a body 126 and a puller 127. The body 126 can include a front and a rear, the front being in a direction of zipper element 115 interconnection and the rear being in a direction of zipper element disconnection. A slider interlocking element such as a catch 129 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, can be disposed proximate to the front of the body 126 of the slider 125.

The locking mechanism 130 can include a set of retractable locking elements 131 disposed proximate to the opposing sidewall edges 110A and 110B. The locking mechanism 130 can further include a housing 132, and a bracket 134, the retractable locking elements 131 being slidable within the housing 132 and within the bracket 134. The retractable locking elements 131 can include a retaining element such as the side buttons 131A or other interlocking detachable feature. The housing 132 of the locking mechanism 130 can further include an opening 132A through which the buttons 131A of the retracting locking element 131 extends through. An upper portion of the housing 132 can include an opening 132B for receiving the catch 129 of the slider 125 into the housing 132.

The locking mechanism 130 can further include a vertically disposed spring 135 for biasing the retractable locking elements 131 toward the opening 134 of the bracket and the opening 132B of the housing 132. The vertically disposed spring 135 biasing the retaining elements including the buttons 131A into the opening 132A of the housing 132.

The retractable locking elements 131 including the buttons 131A can including two opposing clasps 136 of the retractable locking elements 131.

The slider 125 can include the catch 129 for mechanically engaging the opposing clasps 139 of the retractable retaining elements 131. The clasps 139 of the retractable retaining elements 131 can be disposed at distal ends of opposing selectively bendable portions of the retractable retaining elements 131. The selectively bendable portions of the retractable retaining elements 131 can be connected or coupled at a bottom end thereof. The vertical spring 135 being supported by a bottom portion of the bracket 134 can provide a bias force against the bottom end of the retracting locking elements 131 urging the retractable locking elements 131 toward the opening 134A of the bracket 124 and toward the opening 132B of the housing 132. The vertical spring 135 further urges and the clasps 139 of the retaining element 131 through the opening 132A of the housing 132.

The selectively bendable portions of the retractable locking elements 131 can also be biased away from each other by one or more horizontal springs 140 extending there between and biasing the bendable supports of the retractable locking elements 131 into a locked position. The retractable locking elements 131 can be manually bendable (e.g. squeezed) against the bias force of the one or more horizontal springs 140 to reduce the distance between the two opposing clasps 139 of the retaining element 131 using the buttons 131A extending through the holes 132A of the housing 132. By bending the retractable locking elements 131, the catch 129 of the slider 125 is released to allow the slider 125 to disengage the clasp 129 of the slider 125 and allow access through the zippers 115 of the opening of the lockable container 100 and to the interior of the lockable container 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, the slider 125 is pressed into the housing 122 of the locking mechanism 120 and the catch 126 latches behind the clasps 139 to keep the zipper 115 in a “locked” position. To unhook the catch 126 of the slide 125 from the clasps 139, the side buttons 131A are squeezed together and slid down to move the clasps 139 out of the way of the catch 126 of the slider body 127. Once the slider 125 is unhooked, the slider 125 can be slid to disconnect the elements of the zipper 115 and open to access the contents of the container 100. To re-lock the lockable container 100, the process is reversed by again sliding the slider 125 back towards the locking mechanism 120 and securing the catch 126 behind the teeth of the clasps 139 of the locking mechanism 120. The retractable locking elements 131 can be a single molded u-shaped piece as shown, or can be separate pieces.

FIG. 7 illustrates non-limiting examples of various dimensions to illustrate one size of a lockable container that may be used. For example, dimensions W and T may be between 10 and 20 millimeters, such as 15 millimeters. Dimension H can be between 100 and 150 millimeters, such as 130 millimeters. Dimension L can be between 150 and 200 millimeters, such as 180 millimeters. Examples of suitable materials such as waxed canvas which can be used to reduce or eliminate odors from emanating from the container and to keep the contents isolated from moisture, for example. Other examples of container materials include PU and 450D-600 polyester waterproof fabric coating liner.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It is understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, quadrants, thirds, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lockable container, comprising: a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall defining an interior compartment, the interior compartment comprising an opening disposed along un upper side thereof and between a pair of opposing side wall edges; a closure mechanism including: opposing interlocking zipper elements disposed along each of the opposing upper side wall edges at the container opening; and a slider configured to be operated by hand, the slider comprising a Y-shaped channel that is configured to interlock the zipper elements when slid in a first direction and is configured to separate the opposing zipper elements when slide in a second direction opposite to the first direction, depending on the direction of the slider's movement; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the closure mechanism in a closed position thereby restricting access to the interior of the container.
 2. The lockable container according to claim 1, the slider comprising a body, a bridge, and a puller.
 3. The lockable container according to claim 2, the body comprising a front end and a rear end, the locking mechanism comprising a slider interlocking element being disposed proximate to the front of the body of the slider.
 4. The lockable container according to claim 3, the locking mechanism comprising a retractable locking element disposed at an end of the opposing sidewall edges.
 5. The lockable container according to claim 4, the locking mechanism comprising a housing, the retractable locking element being slidable within the housing.
 6. The lockable container according to claim 5, the retractable locking element including a first retaining element, the locking mechanism further comprising a first opening on a first side of the housing through which the first retaining element of the retractable locking element extends from and retracts into.
 7. The lockable container according to claim 6, the retractable locking element including a second retaining element, the locking mechanism further comprising a second opening on a second side of the housing through which the second retaining element of the retractable locking element extends from and retracts into, wherein the first opening is on an opposite side of the housing than the second opening.
 8. The lockable container according to claim 7, the first retaining element and second retaining element are opposing buttons on the retractable locking element that, when pressed, release the retractable locking element from a retained position within the housing.
 8. The lockable container according to claim 6, the locking mechanism further comprising a vertically disposed spring for biasing the retractable locking element toward an upper opening of the housing.
 9. The lockable container according to claim 8, further comprising: the retaining element including two opposing clasps; and the slider interlocking element configured to mechanically interlock with the clasps of the retaining element when the slider interlocking element is inserted into the housing.
 10. The lockable container according to claim 9, the clasps of the retaining element being disposed at distal ends of opposing selectively bendable supports.
 11. The lockable container according to claim 10, the selectively bendable supports being connected at a proximate ends thereof, the vertical spring configured to provide a vertical bias force against the proximate end of the retractable locking element toward the opening of the housing.
 12. The lockable container according to claim 11, the selectively bendable supports being biased apart by one or more horizontal springs extending the selectively bendable supports and biasing the bendable supports into a locked position with the slider interlocking element inserted into the housing.
 13. The lockable container according to claim 12, the bendable supports being manually bendable against the bias force of the one or more horizontal springs to reduce the distance between the two opposing clasps of the retaining element releasing the catch of the slider to allow the slider to disengage the zipper elements and allow access to the interior of the lockable container.
 14. The lockable container according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a retractable locking element disposed at an end of the opposing sidewall edges.
 15. The lockable container according to claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism further include a housing, the retractable locking element being slidable within the housing.
 16. The lockable container according to claim 15, wherein the housing can include an upper opening for receiving a slider body and a slider catch within the housing.
 17. The lockable container according to claim 16, wherein the upper opening fully encases a front, top, side and bottom of the slider body when the slider body is slid within the housing in a locked position.
 18. The lockable container according to claim 1, locking mechanism including a retractable retaining element including two opposing clasps.
 19. The lockable container according to claim 18, wherein the two opposing clasps have a tapered top portion for allowing a catch of a slider to be pressed over tops of the clasps against a bias force of a spring and the clasps snap into a locked position under the bias force of the spring. 